Cardinal Point Leadership
Chris Poyzer, MSW Executive & Leadership Coach
The Releasing Journey
Letting Go to Lead Forward
Helping leaders release what holds them back and step into their full potential.
"To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day."
– Lao Tzu
Chapter 1: What’s Holding You Back?
Picture a leader you deeply respect someone whose presence commands attention, not through force, but through authenticity. What you're seeing isn't just what they've learned; it's what they've been willing to let go of.
Every effective leader faces this reality: behaviors and beliefs that brought you success might now be the very obstacles preventing your next level of growth. The courage to release what's no longer serving you isn't just personal growth it's creating space for the leader you're becoming.
A Leadership Moment
Think of a recent situation where you felt stuck your usual approach didn’t work, or you got in your own way.
Describe this moment:
o What was the situation?
o How did you respond?
o What felt limiting about your approach?
Pattern Recognition
Consider whether this is a recurring pattern.
What patterns do you notice?
o Where else have you felt constrained by similar habits or beliefs?
Chris’s Perspective: Your stuck moments are actually breakthrough opportunities...
Chapter 2: The Beliefs That Limit Your Leadership
Sarah, a VP I coached, once told me she “wasn't good at difficult conversations.” For years, she avoided them, letting small issues grow into major problems. Examining this belief revealed it was based on one difficult conversation early in her career not solid evidence.
Limiting beliefs are invisible fences. They feel real but often come from incomplete or outdated experiences. Once clearly seen, you can choose to step beyond them.
Uncovering Your Limiting Beliefs
Complete these sentences honestly:
As a leader, I’m not good at…
o What immediately comes to mind?
I could never…
o What feels impossible for you as a leader?
People like me don’t…
o What assumptions do you hold about your capabilities?
Evidence Examination
Look at your responses above. For each belief, ask:
Is this actually true?
What evidence supports or contradicts it?
Examining the evidence:
o Choose one belief. When did you form it?
o What evidence supports or contradicts it?
Chris’s Method: Most limiting beliefs crumble under gentle examination...
Chapter 3: Rewriting Your Leadership Story
A powerful moment in coaching occurs when leaders realize they can choose a new story about themselves not through mere positive thinking, but through honest assessment and intentional reframing.
The Reframing Exercise
Select a limiting belief and practice reframing it.
Current Limiting Belief: Write your limiting belief here.
Reframed Growth Belief: Reframe this belief into a growth-oriented perspective.
New Actions from New Beliefs
If you truly believed this reframed version, what would you do differently this week?
Actions from your new belief:
Chris’s Experience: Behavior change follows belief change...
Chapter 4: The Art of Letting Go of Control
One of the hardest transitions for leaders is shifting from “doing” to “enabling.” Marcus, a director I coached, was drowning in tasks his team could handle. His need to control everything prevented his team from growing.
Releasing control isn't passive it’s strategic, creating space for others to thrive.
Your Control Patterns
What tasks or responsibilities are you holding onto unnecessarily?
Task/Responsibility Who could handle this instead? 1.
The Fear Behind Control
What fears do you have about letting go?
o What's the worst-case scenario? How likely is it?
Embracing Leadership Vulnerability
Powerful leaders aren’t those who have all the answers they comfortably say “I don’t know” or “I need help.”
Where could vulnerability strengthen your leadership?
o Describe a current challenge where admitting uncertainty or asking for help could improve the situation.
Chris’s Observation: Strongest leaders master strategic vulnerability...
Chapter 5: Understanding Your Resistance to Change
Resistance isn't the enemy of growth it’s information. When you resist releasing old patterns, your psyche tries to protect you. Learn to dialogue with resistance, not fight it.
Mapping Your Resistance
Where do you feel most resistance? Mark areas that apply:
Delegating More (challenging)
Showing Vulnerability (scary)
Challenging Beliefs (uncomfortable)
Asking for Help (difficult)
Changing Habits (overwhelming)
Taking Risks (uncertain)
Dialogue with your resistance: Choose one area.
o What’s your resistance protecting you from?
o How can you reassure this protective part?
Chris’s Approach:
I teach leaders to befriend their resistance...
How Coaching Accelerates Your Releasing Journey
Leaders who release limiting patterns experience:
Increased Leadership Capacity: Redirecting energy to high-impact activities.
Enhanced Team Performance: Delegation fosters ownership and innovation.
Greater Emotional Resilience: New beliefs enhance capacity for challenges.
Authentic Leadership Presence: Genuine leadership style emerges.
Strategic Thinking Time: More time for vision, strategy, and relationships.
Sustainable Growth Mindset: Tools for ongoing release and evolution.
Chapter 6: The Power of Guided Releasing
Releasing old patterns is challenging you’re rewiring long-standing neural pathways. Selfawareness is vital, but having a skilled guide accelerates and deepens the process.
Your Support Assessment
What support or guidance would accelerate your growth?
Support needed:
o What guidance, accountability, or perspective would help you implement changes?
Your Change Readiness
Are you ready to actively release what's holding you back, or do you need more preparation?
Honest assessment:
o How ready are you to act on releasing patterns?
o What would need to be in place to commit?
Chris’s Philosophy: Releasing is rarely a solo journey...
Your Releasing Journey Continues
You’ve identified what needs releasing and begun the critical work of letting go. Whether independently or with coaching support, you now have a foundation for transformation.
Explore Coaching Support
Chris specializes in helping leaders navigate the challenging yet rewarding process of releasing what no longer serves their growth.